Vending machine



J. E. STEWART VENDING MACHINE July 4, 1950 Filed Oct. 4, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 m m m m JHMEs E. ETEWHR'T BY 4. 9M4

fiTTORAEY'.

y 1950 J. E. STEWART 2,513,595

VENDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 4, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 y 1950 J. E. STEWART 2,513,595

VENDING MACHINE Filed Oct. 4, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 6 0 zi fiitifi 2 2 R Y a 7 0 m n u. 3 2 0 5 2 H 7 u 7 0 0 I. 9mm mm mm MM ezz// B mm m I T. l N 2 W 9 w w k m o F m 5 0 0/0 w 2 60 2 z m w m w H m m5 H .1. W w 6 L a vnwuww v a E E .I I E r M 4 3 am m E T. wwihiw H B W W w W #2 r v 000 E avvvv vvvvvvvvwvvmw J H I W F 5 5 u 6 2 B 3 W o 3 3 3 6 M 4 2 F'IEJEL Patented July 4, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VENDING MACHINE James EStewart, Rye, N. Y., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Stewart Products Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application October 4, 194.4, Serial,No.,55 7, 1 64 7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in vending machines and is directed more particularly to machines for vending small packages of merchandise. One object of the invention is 'the provision of a machine carrying a plurality of inclined planes each adaptedtojhold'a maximum number of said packages, thereby providing a machine of reater capacity in proportion to its size than, has heretofore been known.

Another object of the invention is the provision, inmachinesfor vending small articles and packages, of a rotary article ejecting member having an article cavity formed therein, an inclined article support normally positioned so that the lowermost article, enters said cavity when said member is in its normal or reset position, said member serving both as a delivery member and an article separator, thereby insuring sequential delivery of said articles.

A [further object of the invention is the provision, in machines for vending small articles and packages, of a rotaryarticle ejecting member having an article cavity formed therein, an'inclined article support adjustably mounted in said machine and including lateral portions mounted thereon and adapted to be adjusted toward or away from each other inaccordarrce with the lengths of the articles or-packages to be vended therefrom.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision in machines for vending small articles or packages, of a rotary article ejecting member having an article cavity formed therein, an inclined supportfor a plurality of articles, the lower end of said support being adjustable relaative to said ejectin member so'that thelowermost article .on said support may always enter said cavity.

A further object of the invention is the provision in a vending machine for small articles or packages, of inclined article supports including lateral portions mounted thereon and adapted to be adjusted toward or.=away from each other in accordance with the lengths of the articles or packages to be vended therefrom, said lateral portions having extensions at least partially overhanging anyarticles or packages to prevent such articles (especially round ones) from pils 11D.

Other-objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled. in the art.

Referring to the drawings which illustrate, by way of example, one embodiment'of the invention:

Figure 1 is a frontelevation of the improved vending machine;

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the-machine of Figure 1, as seen'from the right side;

Figure 3 is an elevation partly' in sectionof the machine 'shownin Figures 1 and -2;

Figure 4 is an elevation of a portion of the frame and one of the said plates supporting the rotary ejecting means;

Figure 5 is a sectional plan view of the machine as seen along the line -55 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a sectional plan view of the machine as seen along the lines6 6 of Figure 1 Figure '7 is a sectional view of one of the rotary article ejectors showing the method of supporting the same as wellas other'details;

Figure 8 is a perspective View of one ofthe article supporting shelvesa-nd its adjustable lateral plates which may be adjusted in accordance with the lengths of; various packages and articles to be vended;

Figure 9- is a front view of the machine with both sides open, giving access to both sides of the mechanism as, well as to the coin -mec h- 1 Figures 9a and 9b are views of one form of coin device which may be used in my improved machine;

Figure 10 is a perspective diagrammatic view of the coin controlled l0cking and unlocking mechanism cooperating withthe rotary article ejectors;

Figure 1 1 is a fragmentary view 0 f a portion of Figure 10, showing the coin controlled interposer as withdrawn olue to the proper coin in the coin device) and one of the-article ejectors moved to-its ejecting position, the camming member moved by the ejeotorbeing shown positioned between two lockout members;

Figure 12- is a plan view, in section, of the camming member in its normalposition relative to the article ejector cylinder and the lookout blocks;

Figure 1 3 is similar to Figure 12, but shows the camming member moved lbya cylinder associated therewith-to a position between abutting ends of the adjacent-lockout-blocks;

Figure 14 is a fragmentary elevation showing the cammingmember in its normal relation to its associated cylinder article ejectors, and spring means associated therewith for urging the camming member into such relation; and

Figure 15 is a-perspective view of the abutting ends of a pair of lockout blocks or members, and one of the camming membersadapted to cooperate therewith.

Referring firstto'Figs. 1 and 2, the cabinet 20 has its sides 2| and 22 in the formof doors which are hingedto the back plate 23, at 24' and 25 respectively. "The side '2lis provided with a lock 26, and the side 22 has a lock 2l'.

The cabinet has several-wide article ejecting members28, 29, =30, and 31, and several groups of narrower ejecting members grouped in pairs. Ejecting members 32 and 33 form a pair with a separating breaker strip 34therebetween. The

separator 43 therebetween; and 44, 45 with a separator 49 therebetween.

It will be understood that the members 28 to 3| inclusive will accommodate longer types of articles or packages, and the shorter grouped members will accommodate shorter articles or packages.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be noted that Fig. 3 is an elevation partly in section, and that the rotary ejecting members are shown in elevation. The frame plate 41 and a duplicate frame plate 48 (Fig. 4) conjointly support the supporting shafts (to be presently described) of all of the rotary ejecting members. The plate 48 has a series of square holes 49, 58, 5|, 52, 53, 54,55, 58 and 51. Adjacent to these holes isa series of elongated slots 59 to 86 inclusive, anda slot 58 is below and in alignment with said first slots. An angled frame member 8! has the plate 48 secured thereto, and a similar frame member 88 on the other side of the machine has the plate 4'! secured thereto, and the plate has corresponding square holes and corresponding elongated slots in horizontal alignment withthe square holes 49 to 51 inclusive, and the slots 58 to 86 inclusive, in the plate 48.

The plate 41 has several curved extensions 28b, 29b, 38b, 31b, 33a, 38a, 39a, 42a and 45a,

lining up respectively with the outer edges of the left ends of the ejecting members 28, 29, 38, 3|, 33, 38, 39, 42, and 45 (see Fig. 1). Likewise the plate 48 has similar extensions 28a, 29a, 38a. 8Ia, 32a, 35a, 38a, 4Ia,-and 44a, lining up with the right ends respectively of ejectors 23, 29, 39, BI, 32, 35, 38, Hand 44. z p 7 In Fig. 7 is shown a sectional view of the rotary ejecting-member 28 which may be formed of a transparent plastic material, so that the articles therein are visible. This member has a longitudinal hole 89 with a metallic tube 18 pressed or otherwise secured therein. A shaft II passing through aligned holes in the frame 68 and the plate 4'! on one side of the machine, and aligned holes in the plate 48 and the frame member 61, carries a helical spring I4, and the tube I8 has a working fit thereon. The rotary ejecting member has a metallic plate 75 set into and flush with one end thereof, and this plate cooperates with a camming member and the coin controlled release as will be presently described. p

The shaft II is shouldered at each end and is secured in the frame and plates described by means of nuts 13. One end of the spring 14 is secured to the ejecting member and the other end is secured to the shaft, so that the latter maybe turned to wind the spring sufiiciently tourge the ejecting member to its normalposition -the position shown in Fig. 3. The ejecting member 28, has an article cavity formed therein, preferably parallel to its axis. j

The back plate 23 has forwardly extending portions 83 on one side thereof and 84 on the the lugs 81 is engaged by a bolt 89 passing through a slot in the lug and a hole in the portion 83 on one side and the other lug isengaged by a similar bolt passing through a hole in the portion 84. By loosening the screws 88 and 89, the shelf 85 may be adjusted endwise with respect to the ejecting member 28, and adjusted to align its upper surface with respect to the article cavity I8, after which the screws may be tightened to retain the setting.

Shelves 98, 9I, 92 are identical with the shelf I 85, and are respectively provided with front lugs other side, see Figs. 5, 6, and 3, and an article I in the plate 48 on one side and through the, slot 58a in the plate 41 on the other side. One of 98, 95, 9'! and back lugs 94, 96, 98 also employing screws 88 and 89, and these shelves may be adjusted in the same manner as that described for the shelf 85.

. Referring now to Figs. 5 and 8, the shelves 85,

98, 9|, 92, H8, II I, H2, H3 and H4, are provided with spaced parallel slots 99 and I88 adjacent one edge thereof, and spaced parallel slots NH and I82 adjacent the opposite edge thereof. Each of the shelves 85, 98, SI, 92 has mounted thereon a bar I83 with ears I84 and I85 preferably formed integral therewith. Screws I89.passingthrough holes in these ears and also passing through the slots WI and I82 respectively engage nuts under the slots. Each of these shelves also has a bar I88 with ears I81 and I88 preferably formed integral therewith. Screws I89 passing through holes in these ears and also passing through the slots 99 and I88 respectively engage nuts under the slots. The bars are, in effect, sides of the shelves, and by loosening the screws, the bars may be moved or adjusted in accordance with the lengths of the packages to be vended from said shelves.

Similar bars may be mounted on shelves I I8 to H4 inclusive; however, in cases where round packages are to be vended, I may use modified adjustable sides for the shelves. These sides'inelude portions which overlie the packages and prevent them from piling up. For example, reference is made to Figs. 3 and 6, whereinthe adjustable members consist ofa lefthand member having an upstanding portion I86a with lugs I8la and I88a. through which screws I89. extend and passing through the slots 99 and I88 respectively, engage nuts below these slots. This member also includes a horizontal. portion II5 formed integral therewith and adapted to overlie the packages. Also a righthand member has an upstanding portion I83a with lugs 'I84a and I85a and av horizontal portion II8 formed integral therewith. Screws I89passing through holes in the lugs and through the slots [ill and I82 respectively, engage'nuts therebelow. The portion I I8 is adapted to overlie the articles on the shelf to prevent piling up.

It will be noted that shelves I mm m inclusive are provided respectively with lugs I28, I2 I; I22, I23; I24, I25; I28, I21; and I28, I29; and are used to support two groups of articles. .At the lower ends of each shelf are provided two article ejecting members. The shelf H8 hasfejecting members 32 and 33. These members are mounted on a shaft like the shaft II; they are provided with tubular linings like 89, except shorterj-they are provided with individual springs like I4 except shorter, and they are provided with inset plates or discs I5. The member 32 has its disc I5 set in on the righthand side (looking at the front of the machine) and the member 33 has its disc set in on the left side. Between the members 32 and 33 is a breaker or trim plate 34-which may form an integral part of an upright IIl inthe agsrsgses "machine. between members 35 and 36, a trim portion 49 between members 38 and 39, a trim portion 43 betweenmembers Hand 42, and'a trim portion lfibetween-ej ecting members 4-4--and-'45.

The upright -I'I-'I' (-Figsx land"6-)' separating-the shelves "Il-B to I-I I-"intotwo parts each*,-ha ve-there-- in slots -I It" to-permit adjustment of the shelves relativet'othe article-cavities in-the-ejecting members;- This upright is secured to the rear wall 'by means of brackets -(not shown). The

front -end of the upright is" scallopedto-formthe separators 34, 31', -43 and '46, and these separators have-holes therein through which the shafts -II,

supporting the pairs -of short rotors 32-33,

35=--36, 38*33; -4 I'-'42, and 44--45"extend.

Referring-now to Figs; 1- and 3; the'curved top 2Il-of themachin'e carries on its-lower end a transverse channel l'30"in=the form of aninverted U. Mounted-in the upper aligned square -ho1es5'l in -the -plates -4r"I--and 48-, -is-asquare bar I3 I.

A' member I32 formed from a sheet ofspring ma'terial" (brass for example) has one end I33 formed to fitthe square bar I3I, and theother end 134 *is upturnedand normally projects a little way into the-channel I33;- The-square bar I31 is mounted in the square holes 57 in the vertical supportpla-tes. Aportion of the-member I 32- normallybears-againstthe cylindrical surface of the article ejecting 'member 44; along the top thereof. The knob I36 may" have a threaded stud (not-shown) integraltherew-ith-and engaging'a tapped hole in the plastic member 44. When the knob I36 -is=-pulled (after the coin is dropped rinto-the coin mechanism)- to rotate the member '44- in a-clockwise-direction, (as-seen in Fig. 3 to effect the: delivery of a--package or article 135: in the cavity-82, the left end of. the member I32 issprung upwardly if the article I35isthickerthan thedepth of the cavity 82... If this occurs, the: upturned end I34 is momentarily movedmore deeply into .the channel I30. arrangement is provided to preventany blocking due to irregular sizes of the packages or articles.

A member (not shown) similar .to the member I32; has one end also engaging the bar I3I, andits other end I31, which can be seen in Fig. 1, also engaging the channel I30. contacts the upper surface of the ejecting member 45-, which incidentally carries a knob I38. A channel member I53 (in the formof an inverted U) extends from side to side above the ejecting members 4| and 42' and has its ends secured to the-frame plates 41 and 61. A pair of spring" members, similar to member I32, have their 'innenen'ds mounted on a square bar I56 mounted in the square holes '56 'in' plates 41 and 4B and their upturned outer ends I54 and I55 respectively'engaging'the channel member I53. Similar channel -members 157, I58; and'ISil, also having'their'end's' secured to the frame plates 4! and .61, are positioned above the. respective pairs'ofejecting members 38, 39;. 35,36; and 32; 33; and similar spring members like I32 mounted on square bars like the bar ,I33,.said bars being supported in-square holes 55, 54, 53, etc. These spring members engage said channel members in substantially the same manner described above, therefore, the description need not be repeated, and like members are also associated with ejecting'members 28, 29, '30 and'3I.

Coin control 'and locking circuit associated therewith A rectangular tube "It Fig. '10, is mounted on This upright has; a trim .portion 3l This This member the= frai ne member 61 on the rignuha ndlsidezdf' the machine" and extendsirom- :a :point' 130a,, above the ejector member '44, to a point-lfillb alongside the-right end ofthe lowest ejector member-2 8. Various portions are cutaway to show the'lockout members, and clea'rance is pro.- vided for the cams, etc. plurality of lockout members I-Eil, I62, I B3 The members IBI are the intermediate members and one o'i'* them is shown in perspective in FigL-15.

Since the tube It'll spans a total of nine article ejectors (28,- 29',-30, 3'I, 32, 35, 38, 31 and 44) there are eight-of the intermediate members It I. member [t t-is at the topand abuts the uppermost member WI. The member I63 is at the bottom and its upper end abuts the loweren'd of the lowest member I5I. Each member: IG I consistsof an elongated rectangular bar with beveled surfaces 54 and flat surfaces Hi5 on each end thereof. The length of each member I61 is equal to the distance from the center of one ejector member'to the center of the next.

The member -I62-has a-bevel and aflat on its lower end which cooperates with the bevel and the flat on the upperend-of the uppermost member ItI whereby they may be separated by a camming member I-tfi in a'manner to be presently described. The member I32 carries a stud I61- which is engaged by-aslot I68 in the arm I69 of a bell crankI liI. The bell-crank is mounted on a shaft I13 which is in turn supported on a bracket (not shown) on the stripB'I. The arm I'l-I of the bell crank isat' a right angle with the arm I69, and it also is provided-with a slot I72.

Extending across the machine near the top thereof andbelow the curved top surface'23, is a rectangular tube II t which is secured to the plates A l and it by ears, not shown, and the mid-portion. of the tube may be secured to the plate Ill by means of a bracket I'I 'I riveted or screwed tothe late and the tube.

A slot H3 is formed in'the upper surface of the tube H t intermediate the ends thereof and communicates' with the hollow interior thereof. An ear, or lug, I39 is at one end of the slot, and a second like ear I80, is at the other end of the slot, both being mounted on a plate 'IIB secured to 'I IT.

A bar I til has a working fit in the tube I14 and carries a stud I32 near one end which is engaged by the slot I12 inthe arm IlI of the bell crank I79. A second bell crank I83, is mounted on a shaft I carried on a bracket, not shown, supported on the plate 41. This bell crank has a vertical arm Ifit with a-slot I81 formed therein, and a horizontal arm I88 with a slot I89 formed therein. A stud I90 in the opposite end-of the bar I'3I, engages the slot I81, having a working fit therewith.

A rectangular-tube I9 I, similar tothe tube I60, is mounted on the left side of the machine and extends 'from a point I 90a above the ejectormember 43' to a, point IQ'Ib alongside the left end of the lowest lefthand short ejector member 35. Various portions of the tube IQI are also cut away to show the lookout members, and clearance is provided for the camming members, etc., to be presently described. The tube I9I carries a plu-' r'ality of lockout members namely: an upper member I92 is identical with the member I62, having a bevel and a flat on its lower-end and carrying a stud I93, which is engaged by the slot I89 in the bell crank arm I88, four intermediate-members Hill; which are identical with the members I6! shown in-Figswandw; These The -tube IE IJ carries a intermediate members are one less in number than the number of article ejector members (33, 36, 39, 42, and 45). on the left'side of the machine. There is also a lower member I94, the

upper end of which has a bevel and a fiat which normally abuts the lower bevel and fiat of the member I94 upwardly, and in turn the members I6Ia and the member I92 are, urged upwardly.

' The, lower end of the tube has a cross portion or barrier I99 rigidly secured thereto, and this barrier abuts the lookout 'member I94 (when all slack between the lookout members is taken up due to the urge of the spring I91).

The tube I60 has, near its lower end and on the right side, a slot 20 I. The lower lockout member I63 has a bevel and a fiat on its upper end which cooperates with the lower end of the lowermost member NH, and a pin 202, mounted in the member I63, extends through this slot and is engaged by one end of a spring 203. The other end of this spring engages a pin 204 on the wall of the tube I60, thereby urging the member I63, the member I6I and the member I62 upwardly.

The lower end of the tube I60 has a cross portion or barrier 205 rigidly secured thereto and spaced away from the member I63 (when all lockout members in the tube I60 are in contact with one another) a distance slightly greater than the thickness of a camming member I66 above referred to.

Between the lower end vof the lockout member I63 and the barrier 205 is normally positioned an interposer 206, which is adapted to be moved rearwardly, a sufiicient distance to clear the lockout member I63, by the coin control mechanism. The diameter of the interposer 206 is the same as the thicknesses of the camming members I66. The space between barrier 205 and member I63 is described as slightly'greater than the thickness of camming member I66, when the slack is taken up (by spring 203). This clearance may be, for example, .005 to .010 to provide sufiicient clearance for the interposers to move freely. The

The tubes I60 and I9I may be secured to the mechanism in any rigid manner, for example, by

means of brackets.

From the above description it will be understood that the entire lockout circuit extends from the barrier I99 upwardly to the bell crank I83, thence across the top of the machine via the bar I8I, to the bell crank I10, and thence down the right side of the machine to the barrier 205. Since there is no lost motion between the several pins and the slots in the bell cranks cooperating therewith, the interposers and the lockout members, together with the cross-over bar 18! permit substantially no lost motion (except for the clearances referred to above). So it is impossible for any camming member to pass between the adjacent or contacting ends of any of the lockout members unless the interposer 206 is withdrawn by the coin mechanism. When the interposer is withdrawn, and one camming member can enter between any two adjacent lockout b1ocks,-al1 the other-camming memb rs ar lqckedjmit; Y r a Cumming members and their relation to the article ejectors The plate 48 (as can be seen in Fig. 4) has a series of rectangular holes 201 formed therein. These holes are clearance holes and each is positioned alongside the frame member 61 and communicating withthe upper portion of the metallic plate 15, which is set into the right end of each of the article ejecting members, 28, 29, 30, til, 32, 35, 38, 4|, and 44. Since there are nine article ejecting members on this side (the right side) of the machine, there are nine square clearance holes 201. The plate 41 on the opposite side oi the machine has five such clearance holes communicating with the metallic insert plates adjacent to the curvedextensions 45a, 42a, 39a, 36a, and 33a, (of the plate 41) on the left ends of the article ejectors 45, 42, 39, 36, and 33, respectively.

Referring now to Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14, one of these clearance holes, 201, may be seen in the plate 48, and (Fig. 12) a rectangular hole 200 is formed in the metallic plate 15 on the end of the article ejector 44. Normally the hole 208 isin registration with the hole 201. A pair of equally spaced lugs 209 and 2 I 0 are secured to the plate 48 above and below the hole 201, as seen in Fig. 14, and these lugs support a vertical shait 2i i, which may be threaded on each end and secured in the lugs by means of nuts 2I2. I

Pivoted on the shaft 2 II is a camming member I66, one end 2I4 of which normally engages the hole 208 in the metallic plate 15 of the article ejector 48. The other end 2I5 of the camming member is peaked to form an entering wedge and to nicely cam against adjacent beveled faces I64 on the lookout members I6I. The camming member is positioned between balanced-springs 2I6 and 2I1 on the shaft '2I2. These springs are wound or arranged so that they also urge the camming member in a clockwise direction, as seen in Figs. 12 and 13, withfthe result that it normally comes to rest against the tube wall IBM, and when operated the end 2I4 is urged against the plate 15 (Fig. '13) to insure its reengagement with the hole 208, in the plate 15. Like camming members are provided for all the other article ej'ectors.

In Figure 11, the ejector 35 is shown in the article delivery position. It can be seen that'the act of pulling down on the knob I45, by the customer, (after inserting the coin to effect the withdrawing of the interposer 206), the hole 208 in the plate .15 of the article ejector 35 causes the camming member to pass between abutting lockout members and the cylinder can be turned further to uncover the article cavity. After removing the article and releasing the knob, the cylinder returns to normal under the ,urge of spring 14. The camming member reengages the hole 208 and is ready to operate again. .While one cammingmember is, interposed between two adjacent lockout members, no other camming member in the machine can enter between any other two members I6I, and only a single article can be delivered. 7

All of the other article ejector cylinders or members havetheir metallic plates 15 provided with holes like 208, theyhave cooperative camming members and all other elements associated therewith, like those described above in connection with the article ejector 44so a detailed description, of each is not necessary.

Fig. 11 istaloiasrammatic sketch showing the interposer zfitwithdrawnby itscoin mechanism 2&9 (shown, in, the righthand. door 22,.in Fig. 9).

The article selected is in the article ejector 35. Now, since the interposer 206 is withdrawn, by

the-proper money via slot 224 to the coin mecha nism 219, the operator graspsthe knob I45 and pulls downwardly. The camming member I66 moves until its entering wedge2l5 finds thepoint of abutment'between the adjacent members IBlm and lfiimandthenis interposed between them, thus forcing the (lower) adjacent member IGIn together with; all other .members therebelow, and also the member I63 downwardly until the latter member-is (except for the slight clearance) practically in-contact with the abutment .2 05. Further movement of the knob l40 dwnwardly uncovers the articlecavity .intheejector so that the purchaser ;may pick .the article up .and release the knob M0. Thecentral spring 14 in the ejector urges it,backto its normal positionand as it returns. to normal, the end 214 of the camming member en a es. thehole .208 in the plate 15.

I would like topoint out that when any camming member, that has been operated, returns to its normal position, either the balancing spring 203, or I91 (depending on which side the article ejector used is located), returns the lockout members to their normal positions so that the interposer, 206, that had previously been withdrawn, can also return to its:norma1 position in the lookout circuit in a manner to be presently explained. ,7 i

Referring now to Figures '9, 9a, and 9b, the coinmechan sm 2l,9 in the righthand door, has a chute 223"lead ing downwardly-from a coin slot 22!, the'chute leads the coin into a passage 224 and a coin passing down this passage engages (with an impact) a member 22-5, mounted on a pivot 226. This member .hasan angular portion 225a,, so=that a coin as it leaves the passage 224, engages the portion 225a'and-by impact swings it downto theposition shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9b. A'spring221 has one end connectedto the member 225 and its other-endengages a stud 228, thus't he spring r es the member 225 in a counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 9a) against a stop 229. The member 225 has an extension 230, the lower end of which extends through a hole formed in a plate member 23!. An interposer, 206, is secured to the member 23] and is reciprocably movable in the coin mechanism casing. A notch 233 is formed in the interposer 206. A lever 23'! is mounted on a pivot 235 in the casing and has a portion 236 extending therefrom and adapted to be engaged by the stud 202, on the lookout member I63 (Fig. 10). The opposite end of the lever 23'! is enlarged to form a weight and carries a portion 238 forming a pawl.

When a coin has momentarily moved the mem her 225 down to the dotted position, as shown in Fig. 9b, the extension 230 causes the interposer to move to the left as seen in Fig. 9, and the pawl 238 engages the notch 233 and holds the interposer 206 in the withdrawn position, thus the interposer 206 is withdrawn from the lockout circuit, thereby enabling the purchaser to operate one of the ejecting members and cause one of the camming members to interpose itself in the lookout circuit aS described above. As soon as this occurs, the lookout member H33 moves of the member 163 and the barrier .205.

10 down to the barrier 20,5 and the stud 2G2 moving downwardly with the lookout member I63 .engages the projecting end of 236 of the lever and disengages the pawl 238, from thenotch 233, permitting the interposer .206, tobe urged outwardly to its-normal position .by the spring 227. However, if themember [6,3 is in the way the interposer fpresses lightly against the side of this .member and then, after the camming member is withdrawn, from, the lockout circuit the spring .Zlllfiig, 1,0, urges thelockout members upwardly herebyclearing the space between the .lower end This permitstheinterposer 206 to enter :in this space which is its normal position. The interposer 296 is in the form of around rod and it moves with the, coin mechanism when the door 22 is opened. When the ,door is .closed, the interposer 206, may easily ,re-enter the space it left when the door was, open. Thecoin, after actuating theJnember 22%, falls .into the, bottom compart- .ment 239.

To obtain an article 'from one of the lefthand (short) article ejectors ,A coinhaving been insertedin the coin mechanism, thereby causing the interposer, 266 to be withdrawn, it is. assumed that an article from the ejector 35 is desired. The purchaser grasps thejknob M4 and pulls it forward (in. the same manner as described vin connection with the ejector 35). This causes the aperture (288), in the left end'of' the ejector 36. to rotate the camming member l 66) associated therewith to urgeit betweenthe junction of the members it la and 194. Qf course, the member I'Mcannot move, due to thefact that its lower endis against barrier I99, so,.as,,the camming member enters betweenthem, the member 18,! a is moved upwardly, together with any other members lfi'ia inJthe series. The series of members inturmcause the member I92 to move, upwardly, and. this, motion. is imparted,

via the bell-crank 183, to the bar Nth-thence to causing the latter to move down intov the space leftopenby the withdrawal of the interposer 20 6.

As the knob IMis.continuedforward, theapertune 2B8 leavesthe camming member (in the manner described before), and the ejector 36 reaches a position where its cavity isoutside the cabinet, enabling the operator to pick the article up. When the knob M4 is released by the operator, after he has picked up the article, the ejector returns to its normal position under the urge of the central spring 14', and while so returning the aperture 228 re-engages the tail end of the camming .member I66 and causes its other end to swing out from between the lookout members. This permits the lookout members along the right side of the machine to move upwardly under the urge of spring 203, to their normal position and clears the path for the interposer 206, to return to its normal position.

It is obvious that many changes may be made in the arrangement herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the annexed claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a vending machine, a casing, an inclined support in said casing for articles to be vended, article ejector means supported in said casing and having an article cavity formed therein and movable from a normal position to a delivery position, said inclined support being adjustable '11 i relativeto said cavity when said ejector means is in said normal position and adapted to be locked in an adjusted position.

I '2. In a vending machine, a casing, an inclined article support, a plurality of article ejector memberseach having an article cavity formed therein, a shaft in said casing commonly supportin said members adjacent to the lower end of said article support, and separator means between said ejector members and through which said shaft extends, said separator means being contacted by the adjacent ends of said ejector members, and individual spring means for each of said ejectors, each of said spring means being comprised of a helical spring embracing said shaft and connected to said shaft and to its ejector.

3. In a vending machine, a casing, a plurality of rotary article ejector members disposed in said casing to form the front thereof, said ejectors being arrayed with spaces therebetween and each having an article cavity formed therein, a transverse member in the form of an inverted U closely adjacent to the lower surface of at least one of said ejector members, and a resilient plate member supported in said casing and having an upturned tongue portion extending between the straight legs of said transverse member and adapted to move upwardly therein, said plate member normally contacting the ejector member immediately below said last ejector member, whereby an unusually thick article in the cavity of said immediately below ejector will move the resilient plate and its tongue upwardly instead of binding.

4. In a vending machine, a casing, a plurality of spaced article delivery members extending through one wall of said casing, and inclined article supports mounted in said casing with their lower ends individually adjacent to said delivery members, said lower ends of said supports being movable to change their pitch or inclination and said supports including individual locking means whereby they may be locked in any adjusted position.

5. In a vending machine, a casing having at least one transverse space formed in the front wall thereof, upright supports in said casing, a horizontal shaft carried on said supports intermediate the upper and lower edges of said space, a cylindrical member rotatably supported on said shaft and forming a closure for said space, said cylindri'calimember having a longitudinal cavity- 1 formed therein, said cavity being adapted to contain an article of merchandise and to move the same from a normalposition inside said casing to a'point outside the same as said member is rotated, and spring'means disposed about said shaft and within an inner bore of said member for urging said member'back to said normal position to receive a second article after said first article is removed from said cavity, and a coinreleased lock for locking said rotor in its normal position, said lock including a member pivotally forming therewith a substantially unbroken portion of said front wall. v I v .7. A vending machine according to claim 5, in which at least one of said edges is comprised of a fixed U-shaped channel and a resilient member having one edge which extends between the legs of the U-shaped member thereby forming a yieldable boundary or edge of said transverse space.

JAMES E. STEWART.

REFERENCES orrEp .The following references .are of record in the ,fileof this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 353,572 Myers Nov. 30-, 1886 495,351 Luster Apr. 11, 1893 788,187 Burdick'; Apr. 25, 1905 980,941 Haerter et al Jan. 10, 1911 1,164,156 Ge'ager Dec. 14, 1915 1,217,616 Mann Feb. 27, 1917 1,287,514 Tenner' Dec. 10, 1918 1,546,077 Hunter et a1. July 14, 1925 1,619,006 Vaughan: Mar. 1, 1927 1,715,276 Burns May 28, 1929 1,744,024 Brodhead Jan. 14, 1930 1,818,475 Gray Aug. 11, 1931 2,124,500 Taylor July 19, 1938 2,210,653 Dennis Aug. 6, 1940 2,233,118 Williams Feb. 25, 1941 2,270,908 Smith Jan. 27, 1942 

